Falling from a height can occur for several reasons: as a result of non-compliance with safety instructions at work, at home, or even because of suicidal tendencies. Injuries resulting from such an event, as a rule, are characterized by a high degree of severity. First aid when falling from a height should be provided immediately.
Procedure
- It is necessary to make sure that other persons are not in danger (especially if the accident happened during work at height).
- Assess the situation, provide the necessary assistance before the ambulance arrives.
- If the victim is conscious, do not allow him to move until the damage is examined.
To provide first aid when falling from a height, you need to know the following: to ensure air passage in the respiratory tract, bending and curvature of the cervical spine should not be allowed, it must be stabilized by holding the head of the "patient" between the knees. Patency is restored by moving the jaw forward or while lifting it. Also, this spine is stabilized by applying a collar to it.
Folded clothes are placed under the shoulders, back and neck, the position of the head is fixed. If there is a need for intubation, do not bend the victim’s head back. First aid for a fall from a height involves stopping bleeding. It is important to remember the symptoms of cardiac tamponade and intense pneumothorax.
To reduce the heat loss, the victim should be covered. Then it is carefully laid on a solid stretcher (orthopedic board) using a bucket stretcher (it is important to remember about the immobilization of the head). While waiting for an ambulance, first aid in case of a fall from a height can be provided by using painkillers (only if the provider is aware of the patient’s allergy to such drugs). This will help relieve him of acute pain and keep him awake until the doctors arrive. Cardiac massage is not recommended, as this technique can cause great injuries to the spine.
After providing assistance, the victim may have the following complaints:
- Pain in the spine (tingling and sensory impairment, which may be associated with a fracture). This type of injury can have serious consequences and is the most severe. Damaged can be the cervical spine, lumbar, thoracic, tailbone).
- Pelvic pain. Identifying his instability means his fracture.
Actions of doctors in an ambulance
- Maintaining vital functions of important organs (mechanical ventilation, oxygen therapy)
- Delivery of the victim to a surgical hospital for further diagnosis and treatment of injuries.
Important
First aid to a victim of a fall from a height can be provided on their own only if they possess the necessary medical skills. Indeed, in such a serious situation, the main thing is not to harm even more, trying to help.